What is Keratoconus and How Are People Diagnosed?

The cornea is the round-shaped, clear, central part of the eye. Sometimes, it may bulge outward similar to a cone. This eye condition is known as keratoconus. These changes occur slowly over several years, often beginning in the teenage years. They may also start during the childhood years or as late as your thirties. It is essential to recognize the symptoms to determine the best keratoconus treatment. Read on to learn more about the signs and diagnosis of this eye condition.

Symptoms of Keratoconus

The most common indications of keratoconus include the following:

The eyesight in one or both eyes slowly gets worse, mostly during late adolescence.

You may experience double vision, even with glasses, when seeing with one eye.

Bright lights may appear to have halo-like rings around them.

Keratoconus will gradually make your vision distorted. This may continue for several years. For most people who have keratoconus, both their eyes may eventually be affected.

Causes of Keratoconus

Although studies show that keratoconus often runs in families, the actual cause is mostly unknown. However, there is no disease or eye injury that explains why the shape of the cornea gets altered in most cases. Patients suffering from keratoconus tend to rub their eyes, which often worsens the condition.

Diagnosis of Keratoconus

Your eye doctor will review your medical and family history and check your vision to diagnose keratoconus. A few tests that can help with this diagnosis include the following:

Eye Refraction Your doctor will use specialized equipment for this test and ask you to look through it to check and evaluate your eyesight. The result will help them identify any vision problems that you may have.

Slit-Lamp Test For this examination, your doctor will use light beams and direct them on the surface of your eye. With the help of a low-powered microscope, they can evaluate the way your eye responds to them and check the shape of your cornea. In addition to this, they will also look for other potential eye problems.

Keratometry Doctors often use this test to determine the shape and size of your cornea. They use light, focus it on your cornea, and measure the reflection.

Corneal Mapping Computerized and photographic tests such as corneal topography can help record the images of your cornea. They are used to develop a detailed shape map of the cornea. Your doctor can also use this method to estimate the thickness of your cornea.

Get the Best Keratoconus Treatment in Brampton

UELC is a well-known eye clinic in Brampton. We believe in providing the best care to our patients by understanding their needs. We have qualified and experienced surgeons to perform laser eye surgery. We strive to offer comprehensive care and prompt services to help you. We use state-of-the-art equipment and safe practices to get the desired results. We are committed to meeting government regulations and industry standards.